PRINS 'HAZARDOUS'

PRINS has returned with a stunningly vulnerable new single ‘Hazardous’, the fourth track to be released off her highly-anticipated upcoming EP - LIFE IS BETTER NOW, out on September 30.

Listen to ‘Hazardous’ HERE

A dreamy piece of pop perfection, ‘Hazardous’ is honest to its core; layered in mellow synths and stacked with emotive vocals, it tells a story of the feeling of uncertainty, when falling completely for somebody you already know.

“It feels like a big emotional release to me,” explains PRINS. “It’s honest, cathartic, and really highlights my versatility as an artist and explores a softer, vulnerable side which hasn’t been shown before.”

With the production and mixing taking place in Quebec, Canada, and the mastering in Nashville, PRINS recorded the vocals at her home studio in Christchurch.

“It really gives a taste of what’s to come in my songwriting,” says PRINS. “I’m enjoying creating new intimate moments like this and am looking forward to the dynamics it will create in the live show.”

‘Hazardous’ is the fourth single to be released off the upcoming EP LIFE IS BETTER NOW, and follows career high benchmarks set by ‘Better Now’, ‘On The Low (shh!)’ and ‘That’s the thing x’. The latter, written with Marlon Gerbes (SIX60), secured #3 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart, #33 on the Hot Singles Chart, and helped her achieve her first rotate positions on all three of NZs biggest national radio stations. The singles garnered the attention of major labels all around the world, with PRINS officially signing to AntiFragile music in NYC.

With today’s release showcasing yet another side to the pop powerhouse that is PRINS, get ready to dive even deeper into the mind and sound of PRINS with the LIFE IS BETTER NOW EP, out in just two weeks

(September 30).

Listen to ‘Hazardous’ HERE

Bright new star Frau Knotz encourages empowerment with her single + video ‘Supernova’

Taranaki-based artist Frau Knotz (Lauren Nottingham) has today released her catchy intergalactic electropop single ‘Supernova’.

A song of empowerment and encouragement, ‘Supernova’ describes the journey we go on to reach that point of confidence in ourselves. “It encourages people to be fierce - overcome their insecurities to celebrate their strengths and share their gifts with the world,” says Frau Knotz. “I wrote ‘Supernova’ as though I was writing a letter to myself during a time in my life when I felt like I had lost everything.”

The time she’s referring to was June 2020, when Frau Knotz found herself living in Mexico City for eight months during the pandemic. “Mexico was one of the worst-hit countries during those early stages of the pandemic. I had initially moved there for 6 weeks to start rehearsals with a jazz quartet; we were about to embark on a cruise ship as the onboard entertainment. It would’ve been my dream job, but three days after I arrived, our contract was cancelled. I found myself in a new country with a new language, no friends, no job and no opportunity to go out and meet people. Thankfully I was living with a lovely Mexican family who taught me Spanish, showed me their way of life and cooked traditional Mexican food (they also had 27 cats – my Mexican mum was a bonafide crazy cat lady).”

‘Supernova’ was recorded and mixed by Sam Johnson at Rhythm Ace Studios and mastered by Chris Chetland. “Originally, I’d written the bare bones of this tune with an 80s keyboard sound - but Sam worked his production magic to help me move it into the realm of electronica, just as I had envisioned!”

Accompanying the single is a video created by well-known New Plymouth-based photographer and videographer Ben D’Ath (Drax Project). “We wanted mirrors, sparkles and neon juxtaposed with darkness and urban grunge to give a Eurodance/club aesthetic,” says Frau Knotz. “I wanted the video to look like I could be anywhere in the world (but it was just little old New Plymouth)!”

Part of the artist’s moniker ‘Frau’ is a nod to her time living in Berlin and working in a traditional German Bakery, where she was addressed as ‘Frau Nottingham’ - and ‘Knotz’ is her family’s nickname. With more music and shows to come and such a distinguishing single, Frau Knotz’s is a journey you want to follow!

The ‘Voice of the Youth’, Otara’s Bad1, releases single ‘No Statements’

Hailing from the poverty stricken neighbourhood of Otara in South Auckland, Bad1 has steadily grown a highly engaged underground following as one of New Zealand’s most recognisable drill rap artists. Bad1 first established a name for himself as a member of the 20th Boys, with many of their tracks depicting the difficult conditions and lifestyle that they grew up in going viral within the youth communities of New Zealand. Frequent collaborations with friends such as Nola, Nelz, YM, Jaxx, alongside producers Sprout and NTGotBeats, have helped continue to grow Bad1’s catalogue of tracks and his notoriety.

Accompanied by a music video directed by Sophia Kwon, Sprout, and Liam Suttie, and produced by 24K Media, No Statements is a grimey drill song fueled with descriptive lyrics of the dangers that Bad1 navigates in his daily routine. Produced by Sprout and NTGotBeats, the beat features a piano lead melody with heavy 808 drums over synths and guitar pads.

In making another stride towards building his brand and solidifying his status as one of the leading voices of his generation with No Statements, the story of Bad1 continues to expand and gives listeners a vivid image of his surroundings.

“I just tell the story of my life, through my own lens. I don’t know how to sugar coat over the trap that a lot of people my age from my neighbourhood are stuck in. This is reality, I couldn’t switch up even if I tried” - Bad1, on his music.

Putting together the hard-hitting production with lyrics that bring to life the South Auckland life that the Set 4 Life (S4L) artists live through, No Statements is due to leave an impression one way or another, on any listener.

Turkey The Bird live in Wellington for the first time.

After a successful nationwide album release tour and a break of a few weeks Turkey The Bird are back on the road for their very first show at the Bluegrass Society in Wellington on Saturday 17th September and an intimate house concert in Foxton on Friday 16th September. 

Tickets for the Wellington show can be reserved by emailing bluegrass@xtra.co.nz or phone 04 4770069. Tickets for the Foxton House Concert can be reserved via email to rick.moonman@gmail.com

New Zealand's folk trio "Turkey The Bird" will remind you of the famous Margarita cocktail infused with a hint of "Simon & Garfunkel", 2 ounces of "Mumford and Sons", a splash of banjo and served on ice on a sunny day.
Catchy folk songs with stunning rich melodies and effortless smooth lyrics. Songs that tell uplifting stories about love and life.
Hailing from the New Zealand left coast town New Plymouth, this uplifting band will hit you with beautiful three part harmonies and toe tapping rhythms.
The bearded trio features Andre Manella from Switzerland on guitar, bass and percussion, Adrian Whelan from Ireland on guitar, mandolin, bass and spoons, and Sol Bear Coulton, the token kiwi, on Banjo and slide guitar.

"injects hoedown-showdown fun, fun, fun and the harmonies shine like diamonds." (Paul Cook, Joyzine UK)

“cruise along and let the harmonies wash over you like the warm waves of the Bahamas”
(Paul Cook, Joyzine UK)

"and this is plain brilliant." (Kev Rowland, Muzic.net.nz)

“I am not going to lie, this is my new favourite band of 2021. (Chris Chick, Muzic.net.nz)

“That’s Turkey The Bird, great band, just love them” (Jesse Mulligan RNZ)

Reuben Hudson Announces New Single There’s No One Like Me

Reuben Hudson is thrilled to announce the release of the latest single; There’s No One Like Me available everywhere on September 16th, 2022.

There’s No One Like Me is a statement of originality by the Melbourne based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter/producer Reuben Hudson. It is an alternative/indie rock song featuring David Harris (Jonathan Bree, Princess Chelsea) on drums, and was mixed by Peter Ruddell (Wax Chattels, Sulfate, Dick Move). The single will be on streaming platforms September 16th and will be accompanied by a music video.

Following the fast paced and playful single Gasman, which has been receiving airplay across New Zealand (charting at #3 on Ōtepoti’s Radio 1 91FM, as well as in Melbourne on Triple R), There’s No One Like Me is by contrast a much more vulnerable release that emerged from Reuben’s experience with chronic illness (Chronic Kidney Failure, Reuben received a transplant in 2020). By thematically focussing on the effect of this condition on his mental health, Reuben is able to translate this experience specific to him into something entirely universal.

“Nobody does know my pain

But every one suffers the same”   

There’s No One Like Me continues the rollout of Reuben’s upcoming EP, and is the result of the studio time spent with Peter Ruddell and David Harris in 2021. Mastered by James Goldsmith, the finished product is the most cohesive and powerful identity Reuben has presented listeners with yet, and his eclectic creativity shines in this professional setting. The full EP will be released in late Spring (Southern Hemisphere), 2022.

NEIL MACLEOD 'WE HAVE KNOWN LOST DAYS'

Today, Wellington based indie-electronic artist Neil MacLeod releases his highly anticipated EP ‘We Have Known Lost Days’.

‘We Have Known Lost Days’, takes listeners on an emotive journey through the darker side of human experience.

MacLeod shares “writing and recording ‘We Have Known Lost Days’, I’ve tried to make a record that sonically and conceptually examines the darker aspects of our human nature, bringing genres together in challenging new ways.”

Neil MacLeod’s fresh and emotive sound brings soul and electronic genres together in ways designed to challenge audiences and disrupt preconceptions around what electronic music is. ‘We Have Known Lost Days’ has seen him push these boundaries even further.

The EP features 7 stunning tracks including previously released singles, ‘Downwards’ (August 2022) ‘Openly’ (September 2020) and ‘Viscera’ (October 2020).

2019 marked MacLeod’s emergence as a standout artist in the indie-electronica scene, with the release of his debut EP ‘To Unfold’. The subsequent years saw MacLeod dive deeper into exploring new territories, taking his introspective songs to new sonic space resulting in his second EP ‘We Have Known Lost Days.’

Through the duality of an electronic and acoustic sound that is fragile and bombastic MacLeod creates a sonic world that is bittersweet. Expertly manipulated vocals and the heavy use of distortion add to the dramatic and unique genre blurring sound.

The release of ‘We Have Known Lost Days’ further establishes MacLeod as an artist on the rise.

Devin Abrams co-produced ‘We Have Known Lost Days’ and his debut EP 'To Unfold'.  While MacLeod himself has also collaborated extensively lending his writing, producing and performing talents on works for international artists such as Ni/Co, established local artists like TOI and exciting new artists including Te Kahureremoa.  MacLeod sold out three consecutive headline shows in Wellington in 2019 and opened for multi-platinum group Drax Project in 2020.

MacLeod revels in moving audiences with his dark cinematic electronic music juxtaposed with intimate soul, he takes this to a whole new level with his new EP.

‘We Have Known Lost Days’ is out now via Particle Recordings, available to buy and stream.

Accompanying the release is a visual EP featuring enhanced live performances of each of the seven tracks. Today sees the release of 'Taller Than Trees', he shares "This is easily the most emotional song for me to perform live, it explores heavy emotions and features even heavier sonics that move me deeply".  

“We have a responsibility” 1 Drop Nation’s new single spotlights ‘The Children’

Ōtautahi six-piece 1 Drop Nation have today released their stirring new single ‘The Children’.

Listen to ‘The Children’ HERE

A mix of roots, reggae, funk and soul, ‘The Children’ encapsulates the 1 Drop Nation sound that fans have come to love. Adding to the beauty of this track, is an acoustic piano at the intro.

“It’s all about the children. They’re the future,” says Lead vocalist Kanei Johnston, who wrote the song after his first child was born 13 years ago.

“That moment changed the way I looked at life, and I wanted to write a song that would connect with others and make them feel the same way I do about my role as a father. We all have a responsibility to help nurture the next generation to be the best versions of themselves and encourage them to reach for the sky. We do this through aroha, guidance and manaakitanga. I’m excited to finally see this song come to life.”

‘The Children’ is the follow-up single to the band's feel-good funky hit ‘Groove Show’. Both singles are building up the excitement for the band's debut album, which they’ve been working on for the past year with Dr Lee Preeble.

Since coming on the scene, 1 Drop Nation have played some epic festivals, completed a national tour, and supported some of Aotearoa’s finest acts. Band Members: include Marc (drums), Dru (bass, backing vocals), Derin (keyboards, backing vocals), Paerau (guitar), Burke (guitar) and Kanei (lead vocals). This is a group of musicians who make music that brings people together, so join the movement and follow 1 Drop Nation!

One for the escapists! LOVETA releases road trip dance-pop ‘Drive’

Aotearoa songstress LOVETA has today released her uplifting dance-pop single ‘Drive’ - a hit for the dancefloor and a must for your summer road trip playlist.

Yet another successful collaboration with musician/producer Wulfie, ‘Drive’ has a slightly contrasting style in comparison to her debut nu-disco single ‘More Than Fun’.

“The song’s about coming out of a period of feeling stuck and chasing what makes you feel happy, alive, and connected,” says LOVETA. “I wrote ‘Drive’ in lockdown last year when I was feeling restricted and confined at home, as well as in my own headspace. Being isolated from friends and loved ones was tough, and I found myself searching for a new perspective on the situation. I was inspired by the feeling of getting away and travelling somewhere new, where all of life’s worries just melt away.”

There’s also a stunning visualiser made by Applebox’s Kirsty Cameron. Based around a gorgeous vintage car, it has dreamy effects, bright colours, and a carefree, well-styled, summer LOVETA enjoying the sunshine.

“We captured it in dreamy slow motion, as a contrast to the energetic beat and bassline of the song, to create the idea of slowing down and enjoying the moment. Everything just flows and is bright and easy, just like the vibe of the song!”

LOVETA says ‘Drive’ is the perfect transition track into other styles we can come to expect from her exciting debut EP, which is being created with the support of NZ On Air New Music Development Funding.

Her music is all about embracing the journey of life in a way that’s fun - so be sure to follow the journey AND the fun through her socials!